Lucy a



(No Model.)

T. J. MAYALL, Decd.

L. A. MAYALL, Executrix. I THREAD GUIDE FOR LOOM SHUTTLES.

Patented Apr. 17, 1888.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

THOMAS J. MAYALL, OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS; LUCY A. MAYALL EXEGUTRIX OFSAID THOMAS J. MAYALL, DECEASED.

THREAD-GUIDE FOR LOOM-SHUTTLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 381,402, dated April17, 1888.

Application filed June 10, 1887.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. MAYALL, of Reading, in the county ofMiddlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Thread-Guides for Loom- Shuttles,which improvement isfully set forth in the following specification.

The object of my invention is to provide an ordinary loomshuttle with aninexpensive device, whereby the bobbin-thread may be readily insertedand retained in its proper position in the shuttle, thereby doing awaywith the method of threading by inhalation, which is very detrimental tothe health of the opera tives. This object is accomplished by means of adevice hereinafter described, and which is applicable to any form ofshuttle employed in the manufacture of textile fabrics.

In the accompanying drawings, which forma part of this specification,Figure 1 is a plan view of a loom-shuttle having my improvedthread-guide attached thereto. Fig. 2 is a partial vertical longitudinalsection thereof on line as as, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a partial sideelevation of the said shuttle and thread-guide. Fig. 4 is a transversevertical section on line 2 2, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig.2, showing how the device is manipulated; and Fig. 6 is a perspectiveview of the threadguide detached from the shuttle.

A represents a loom-shuttle with a threadwound cop, B, therein, the endsof the thread resting within the thread-guide G, from which itprotrudes, as at D. The form and construction of said thread-guide O isbest exhibited in Fig. 6, and the manner of securing it to said shuttleis shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The shuttle is mortised at E a sufficientdepth to receive the thread-guide G,while the upper surface is cut outat F to permit the metal lap G to rest flush with the same. The frame ofthe thread-guide C is made of one piece of sheet metal, and it may bestamped out in the shape shown by means of dies and pierced at oneoperation. The wall H is bent at right angles to the top and the metalstrip is further folded back upon itself, forming the walls 0 O,with aspace between them for insertion of the thread, the wall 0 projectingslightly above the wall 0, as shown at P, Fig. 3, to catch the SerialNo. 240,934. (No model.)

thread and insure its entering the threadspace. The walls H and O O areslotted for the admission of the ends of: the thread-locking arm ordevice J,Which is of spring metal,

and is adapted to be depressed by the coneshaped push-buttton or plungerK. The latter has an end, N, projecting through the concave top L of theframe. The shoulder on the plunger K limits its upward movement. Theconcave top of the frame permits the plunger K to be pushed downsufficiently to withdraw the end of the spring J from the thread-spacewithout necessitating the end N to protrude beyond the surface of theshuttle.

The lap G of the thread-guide is secured to the shuttle by aholding-screw,Q.

To thread the shuttle by means of my invention, 1 hold the shuttle inthe usual manner, the thumb of the left hand resting lightly upon thestem N. With the fingers of the right hand the thread is grasped, andwith a quick movement carried to the right a little forward of the lapG, thence drawn rearwardly until it meets the obstructing shoulder P,andfalls into the space between the walls 0 0. Pressure upon the springthread-lock J permits the thread to fall into the position shown in Fig.5. When the pressure is relaxed, the end of spring J returns to itsnormal position across the thread-space and the thread is securelylocked in place, as shown in Fig. 3.

It is obvious that modifications may be made in the forms of parts andother details of construotion without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

Having now fully described my said inven tion,what I claim, and desireto'secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with a shuttle-body, of the thread-guide comprisingtwo walls forming between them a thread-space, said walls being slotted,as set forth, a thread -locking strip extending through said walls andacross said space, and a pushbutton or plunger for Withdrawing thelocking end of said strip when the thread is inserted, substantially asdescribed.

2. The combination, with a shuttle-body, of the thread-guide comprisinga sheet-metal strip folded upon itself to form a thread-space,

a flexible spring-locking device having its end extending across saidspace through slots in thewalls thereof, and a plunger fordepressingsaid spring at the middle and so withd rawin g the lockingend, substantially as described.

3. The combination,with a shuttle-body, of the thread-guide comprising aframe having a concave top and being provided with a thread-space, oneof the walls of said space projecting above the other, a spring-lockingdevice having its end extending across said space to hold the threadtherein, and a plunger for depressing said spring at the middle towithdraw the locking end from said space, the end of said plungerprojecting through the concave top of the frame, substantially as de-

